used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
actuatedadjective
moved to action
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
adventurousadjectiveUS /ædˈventʃərəs/
willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
in the past
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
a cherished desire
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
aspirationsnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
blue-eyedadjective
favorite
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
brought into existence
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE RETIRED SEA CAPTAIN.
causingnounUS /ˈkɑːzɪŋ/
the act of causing something to happen
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
devouringadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaʊərɪŋ/
(often followed by “for”) ardently or excessively desirous
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
fair-skinned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
forefathersnounUS /ˈfɔːrfɑːðərz/
plural of “forefather” — the founder of a family
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
hereditynounUS /hərˈedəti/
the biological process whereby genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
kindredadjectiveUS /ˈkɪndrɪd/
similar in quality or character
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
go away from a place
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
by chance
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
pirate'snounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
possessive form of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
PlymouthnounUS /ˈplɪməθ/
a town in Massachusetts founded by Pilgrims in 1620
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading THE RETIRED SEA CAPTAIN.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
only a very short time before
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE RETIRED SEA CAPTAIN.
seafaringnoun
the work of a sailor
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
shoresnounUS /ʃɔːrz/
plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
teensnounUS /tiːnz/
the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RETIRED SEA CAPTAIN.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
thirsted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not that he thirsted for a pirate's life, but a seafaring man's adventures he longed for and decided he must have.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whether from heredity, or environment, or both, the reason of his spirit will perhaps never plainly appear, but as the child grew into manhood he seemed filled with the same adventurous aspirations which had actuated his forefathers, causing them to leave their homes in old England, and come to foreign shores.
yarnsnounUS /jɑːrnz/
plural of “yarn” — the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading Scarcely had he passed into his teens before he was devouring tales of pirates, and kindred old sea yarns, and his heart was fired with ambition to own a vessel and sail the high seas.
a late time of life
From this reading Many years ago, close under the shadow of old Plymouth Rock, there was born one day a fair-skinned, blue-eyed baby.
